A section of traders in Nakuru have turned to using khaki bags to pack their goods as the government ban on use and manufacture of plastic bags looms.

A spot check by People Daily indicates small-scale and large scale traders are embracing alternative packing bags instead of plastic ones. James Gitau Kuria, the Director of Salgaa Grain Stores has embraced the change commending the government for its ban on use of plastic.

“We are conforming to the government’s directive to stop using plastic in packing even as the deadline nears. The move was long overdue because the effect of plastic on environment was devastating,” he said.

He said the company dealing in beans, peas, maize, wheat, rice has been using plastic bags in bulk for over 30 years. “We pack cereals and grains for wholesale and retail traders and I can acknowledge we have been contributing to environment pollution through use of plastic bags.

We must change the trend,” Kuria added. Currently, Salgaa Grain Stores has contracted another company to produce branded Khaki packing and shopping bags for clients.